Ridgewood senior Luke Melendez made a bold decision midway through the football season.
After making eight touchdown catches in the Rebels’ first four games, the 6-foot receiver agreed to move to quarterback when sophomore Angelo Vitale was sidelined with an injury.
“I’d been prepping a little bit,” Melendez said. “I was always in the mix, third string, backup. I had a couple of packages here and there. Our guy went down, and they were like, ‘You’re all we’ve got, man.’”
Melendez threw for 240 yards and rushed for two touchdowns in two games before he returned to receiver and put the finishing touches on his fourth all-conference selection in the Upstate Eight East. He was also named a Class 4A all-state honorable mention.
Melendez’s position change, albeit brief, could have backfired for him. But Wisconsin-Whitewater’s football coaches stuck with him through the recruiting process. Eventually, Melendez committed to the six-time NCAA Division III national champion to play receiver.
“I talked to Brody Pogue. He’s their wide receivers coach,” Melendez said. “He was just like, ‘Yeah, we just want to keep seeing your athleticism. Keep making plays and do your best.’
“It definitely showed the side of being a leader and being there for my team. I was a little upset at first about the stats. I wanted to get my stats. Then I was like, ‘I can sacrifice that.’ It was a fun experience to play a different position.”
Melendez’s decision didn’t surprise Ridgewood football coach Vince Fanelli. He put Melendez in several spots to help the team all season. Melendez had 41 catches for 820 yards and 16 touchdowns in seven games, and he made eight interceptions, including a program-record four in the season opener against Schurz. He was also the primary returner for the Rebels (4-5), and he ran back a kickoff for a touchdown.
“He brings a unique blend of agility, speed and intelligence to the game,” Fanelli said. “His versatility has been unmatched, and he excelled in multiple roles this season.
“He is the ultimate competitor — versatile, relentless and always ready in the biggest moments. He’s one of the most exceptional athletes I’ve ever coached, and his impact on Ridgewood will be felt for years to come.”
Ridgewood boys basketball coach Chris Mroz echoes those sentiments. Melendez is one of the most impactful Rebels of all time in that sport too. He’s the fourth Ridgewood player to eclipse 1,000 career points and figures to finish with more than 1,300 when it’s all said and done.
“He’s a great two-way player,” Mroz said. “We’re happy to have him. He’s going to Wisconsin-Whitewater for football, and they’re getting a heck of a recruit. It’s just his leadership and overall toughness to go with his scoring and flying around the gym.”
Even before Melendez was in high school, Mroz knew Melendez was going to play multiple sports, and Mroz encouraged participation in football and track.
“We’ve always wanted him to do that and have fun,” Mroz said. “Even when he was an eighth grader, we tried to set a vision for him. ‘You can do this. We’re not going to hinder you. Go play the best you can.’”
Much like Fanelli, Mroz isn’t looking forward to the day when the postseason ends and Melendez hands in his uniform for the last time.
“I’m going to miss this guy,” Mroz said. “I’ll be going to Whitewater to watch him. He’s the best.”
Melendez knows his days as a basketball player are dwindling, so he’s trying to soak in even the tough moments as best he can during his remaining weeks with the Rebels (9-9).
“As much as it’s like, ‘Oh, we have practice,’ or this and that, I don’t want this to end,” Melendez said. “It’s like all the summer workouts and summer games. You have to be up early. Those are the best times. Those are the times that you cherish most — the bus rides, the car rides, all of that. It’s awesome. It’s going to be mixed emotions.”
Melendez said he intends to compete in track and field again in the spring. Expect him to be all over the place, as always, participating in all of the jumps and a variety of relays.
Then his focus will shift to college football, which is his longtime goal. Melendez has wanted to compete at the next level ever since his older brother Joey started wrestling at North Carolina.
“It’s definitely something that I aspired to do,” Melendez said. “It’s always been a dream just to play at the next level. It’s kind of like carrying on the family tradition.”
Wisconsin-Whitewater proved to be the place where Melendez wanted to fulfill that dream.
“It’s just a great atmosphere,” he said. “When I took my first visit there, it was like, ‘Wow. This is legit. This is awesome.’ It was packed when I was there. There were 23,000 fans.”
Melendez has been recruited as a receiver, but typical of him, he would be open to playing on the defensive side of the ball.
“Hey, whatever happens,” he said. “I wouldn’t be opposed to playing defense. Defense is awesome. I love both. I love receiver more, but both of them are great. Obviously, it’s a storied program, great tradition.”
Melendez has had a great high school career.
“He will go down as one of the most prolific athletes in Ridgewood sports history,” Fanelli said. “I’m proud to have coached such a remarkable player.”
Melendez seems to grasp the legacy he’s leaving behind.
“Those are things that go through my head,” he said. “I’m the fourth 1,000-point scorer here, four years all-conference and honorable mention all-state for football. It’s pretty special.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter.
